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152 reviews
A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Dracula Daily by Bram Stoker
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I originally read this sometime around when it came out and judged it pretty harshly. I've now reread it and I've found that while Black's writing isn't for me, I do think she's gotten significantly better at writing since her first books.
The good:
Like so many others before me, I find the cruelty of the fairies fascinating. I loved to watch Jude slowly go to more and more extreme lengths just to prove a point. Also, I never turn down a lesbian couple even if it's just a tiny side couple. Her straight forward storytelling makes it easy to digest the whole book pretty fast and her characters are becoming more likable.
The bad:
I still think Black isn't my author. I think the plots of her books are often way too easy to see through, and her romance is completely unbelievable. For this particular book, I heavily disliked the 1st person narrator style. I just don't think it did the book any justice at all.
Would I read it again? Probably, yes, but it's not the first book I'd reach for the moment I'm in the mood for a reread.
The good:
Like so many others before me, I find the cruelty of the fairies fascinating. I loved to watch Jude slowly go to more and more extreme lengths just to prove a point. Also, I never turn down a lesbian couple even if it's just a tiny side couple. Her straight forward storytelling makes it easy to digest the whole book pretty fast and her characters are becoming more likable.
The bad:
I still think Black isn't my author. I think the plots of her books are often way too easy to see through, and her romance is completely unbelievable. For this particular book, I heavily disliked the 1st person narrator style. I just don't think it did the book any justice at all.
Would I read it again? Probably, yes, but it's not the first book I'd reach for the moment I'm in the mood for a reread.
The Forester by Blaine D. Arden
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
It had an interesting plot but it was just not my thing.
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can't say this book is flawless but I read it in a single day. It's my first "read in one day" book. It was so good! My shoulders hurt now and going back to reality feels a little off, like it's not quite real. It was that good.
The good:
Everything. I love that we're dealing with a disabled character who remains disabled throughout the book. I love the dynamics between Rhen, Grey and Harper. And Jake and Noah!!
The bad:
I wish Harper's disability was mentioned more. It sometimes felt it was forgotten for long stretches of time even when it would have affected something in the story.
I will read this again, I'm very, very sure of that!
The good:
Everything. I love that we're dealing with a disabled character who remains disabled throughout the book. I love the dynamics between Rhen, Grey and Harper. And Jake and Noah!!
The bad:
I wish Harper's disability was mentioned more. It sometimes felt it was forgotten for long stretches of time even when it would have affected something in the story.
I will read this again, I'm very, very sure of that!
The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I can't explain why this book was better than the trilogy before it. It just was.
The bad:
It never really explained how Hazel as a whole managed to stay alive. I know it just said 'magic' and I'm just not satisfied with that explanation. It's a little too easy an answer.
I guess I'm growing a little tired of teenagers being teenagers. But that's not really a flaw of the book. It's a flaw of me.
The good:
I fell in love with the whole cast. While every other Holly Black book has left me groaning with dislike for at least a couple of characters, often a lot of the characters, this time was different. I was excited for every character and that practically never happens with her books. The plot was also really solid this time, and there was no annoying teenager groaning about her boyfriend.
I'll definitely read this book again.
The bad:
It never really explained how Hazel as a whole managed to stay alive. I know it just said 'magic' and I'm just not satisfied with that explanation. It's a little too easy an answer.
I guess I'm growing a little tired of teenagers being teenagers. But that's not really a flaw of the book. It's a flaw of me.
The good:
I fell in love with the whole cast. While every other Holly Black book has left me groaning with dislike for at least a couple of characters, often a lot of the characters, this time was different. I was excited for every character and that practically never happens with her books. The plot was also really solid this time, and there was no annoying teenager groaning about her boyfriend.
I'll definitely read this book again.
Sovebogen for voksne: Fredfyldte fortællinger at falde i søvn på by Kathryn Nicolai
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
A book for sleep. I thought it was great at doing that but since I read other books before bed, this became obsolete.
Ironside by Holly Black
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I really suffered from reading Valiant in between Tithe and Ironside. I lost all connection to Kaye and Roiben and spent the majority of the book desperately trying to find my love for them again. In the end, I didn't really find it again for Kaye but I did find it for Roiben. I still dislike Corny.
I'm not sure exactly how to feel about this. I kept thinking it was dragging out. The plot just felt thin. Not enough Roiben, way, way too much Kaye and Corny.
But I did love what happened between Corny and Luis, and I loved how Roiben eventually came to find his place after all the pain he had suffered.
It's in no way a bad book. I just don't think it was my book. I'm glad I read it and maybe one day I'll return to it again.
I'm not sure exactly how to feel about this. I kept thinking it was dragging out. The plot just felt thin. Not enough Roiben, way, way too much Kaye and Corny.
But I did love what happened between Corny and Luis, and I loved how Roiben eventually came to find his place after all the pain he had suffered.
It's in no way a bad book. I just don't think it was my book. I'm glad I read it and maybe one day I'll return to it again.